Visitor spending in Hawaii reached near-record level in 2011

Santa greets tourists staying at the Halekulani Hotel on Saturday, December 24, 2011.

Visitors to Hawaii spent a record $1.3 billion in December, boosting annual spending to its second-highest level ever in 2011, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported today.

The $12.58 billion spent by visitors last year was second only to 2007’s record $12.63 billion, the HTA reported.

Visitor arrivals also posted a strong gain in December, pushing the annual total to 7.28 million, the fourth highest level on record.

Mike McCartney, Hawaii Tourism Authority president and CEO, said strength in the visitor industry is poised to continue this year.

“We will continue to work together with our marketing partners and the visitor industry to sustain the momentum we saw last year and achieve steady growth for another momentous year in 2012,” he said in a news release.